The ridge was a graveyard, Victor’s horns howled from the east. The Castillos’ drums thundered from the west. The wolves stood bloodied and shaking in the center, rifles raised, their heir collapsing in Jenna’s arms.And between them all, the envoy of the Black Crown stood untouched, pale eyes gleaming in the firelight, Marcus spat, revolver steady, voice hard. “Say another word, woman, and I’ll put lead in your skull.”Roland’s blade hovered near her throat, his scarred face a storm. “The Black Crown has been dust for years. Ghost stories to frighten children. Speak truth, or die here.”The envoy didn’t flinch. She swept her cloak back, revealing a silver medallion engraved with a crown of thorns. It shimmered in the firelight, “Dust?” she said, her voice calm, cutting. “Then tell me why every great family still whispers the name in fear.”The wolves muttered uneasily, shifting on their feet, Roland’s eyes narrowed. His voice dropped low, dangerous. “What does your master want with h

The Holloways, Another dynasty. Another predator come to rip the carcass of the Franfurt heir, Marcus’s face twisted into a mask of rage. “Bastards. They smell blood and want their share!”Roland’s scarred jaw tightened, his eyes cutting over the battlefield. “East full of Vipers. West full of Castillos. Now Holloways in the north. Wolves penned in the middle like cattle”, The men muttered, fear clawing through their ranks. They tightened the circle, rifles trembling, eyes darting.Jenna clutched Denilson to her chest, rocking as if her body alone could shield him from the storm. His skin was cold, his breath so faint she pressed her ear to his lips just to be sure he lived at all. “Stay,” she whispered, tears streaking through blood and ash. “Stay with me. Please. Please.”His hand twitched against hers, but no words came, Victor’s horn blared from the east. His men advanced, howling in triumph. The Castillos’ drums thundered from the west, their riders circling like wolves waiting f

The ridge howled, From the south, the earth itself seemed to rise. Dozens, then hundreds of wolves poured out of the dark forest, their eyes burning like embers, their fangs gleaming in firelight.They crashed into the battlefield with savage fury.A Viper screamed as a wolf tore his throat out, blood spraying across the dirt. A Castillos rider was dragged from his saddle, his horse bolting in terror, his body ripped to pieces by snarling maws. Holloway shields splintered as the beasts slammed into their lines, snapping bones, ripping flesh.Even the Black Crown riders staggered as the wild wolves descended, their poisoned blades cutting but not halting the tide.The battlefield became a slaughterhouse.Marcus froze mid-swing, his eyes wide, his knife dripping blood. “God’s teeth”Roland’s scarred jaw clenched, his eyes locked on the tide of beasts. “Not God. Him.”He turned sharply to Jenna, who knelt in the dirt, clutching Denilson’s limp body. His blood slicked her hands, his breath

The eastern horizon tore open in fire, The ground split, vomiting flame and smoke. Rocks tumbled, trees shattered, the mountain itself groaning as if something vast clawed its way free from the earth, The armies froze.Victor’s men cowered, their horns silent. Castillos riders yanked their horses back, their beasts rearing in panic. Holloways raised shields uselessly, staring wide eyed at the firelit crack that widened with every heartbeat.Even the Black Crown envoy staggered, her pale lips parting, her voice trembling, “It should not wake… not yet.”The ridge quaked, splitting under the wolves’ feet. Denilson swayed, Jenna clutching his arm, Marcus and Roland dragging him upright as the ground shook, Marcus snarled, eyes wild. “What in God’s bloody name is that?”, Roland’s scarred face stayed grim, but his voice rasped low, reverent, afraid. “Not God. Old man.”Denilson’s golden eyes narrowed, his chest heaving, his body still bleeding but his blood burning. He stared into the fissu

The fire swallowed him whole, Denilson’s scream was lost in the roar as the Prime Howl’s jaws dragged him down, down through flame and stone and shadow. His body convulsed, every nerve burning, every wound tearing wider.Then silence, When his eyes snapped open, he was no longer on the ridge, He stood on black stone, endless, stretching into nothing. Above him hung no stars, no moon, only a sky of molten red. The air reeked of ash and blood.And before him, massive and endless, loomed the Prime Howl, Its body was clearer here, shadow fused with flesh, fire burning through its veins. Its eyes glowed like suns, fixed on him with hatred and hunger.Denilson staggered, clutching his chest. Blood still poured, but here it didn’t fall. it smoked, hissing on the black stone, His golden eyes burned brighter, fighting to pierce the darkness. His voice rasped, broken, but defiant.“You won’t… take me”, The Prime’s voice rolled through the abyss, deeper than thunder, older than time, “Child of A